Monday, April 09, 2007

On Easter we had a baptism for a 2 yr old. He was quite precious. We were concerned that he would be less than precious because he had strep. However, with the aid of antibiotics, he had recovered enough by Sunday morning to be precious.

But let me back up: I usually have my acolytes help with baptisms. When they get to help with baptisms, they feel important instead of used. Master Youngest of Five has been acolyte when no one else would. Of course, the girls were there but not willing. So over and over, Master Youngest of Five has lit the candles, recieved the offering, snuffed the candles, and entertained both the choir and minister while doing the most reverent of tasks. He has danced, he has tripped on his untied shoes, he has had his shirt half tucked and half untucked, he has gone to his pew before the Doxology was completed, and all the while we think he is cute. And so we gently encourage him to mend his ways and we tell him how glad we are that he is an acolyte.

So on Easter Sunday the question was posed: Do we have any acolytes? There was not an obvious positive answer forthcoming, so I went and recruited Master Youngest of Five. I was telling him that we had a baptism this morning and I could really use his help. His twin sister, regularly one of the unwilling girls, was standing nearby and was willing to acolyte if she could help with the baptism. I gently explained that I thought it was fair that he get to since he has acolyted so many times when no one else would. It must have been an acceptably fair response because there was no protest offered to the explanation.

When Master Youngest of Five lit the candles he was all tied and tucked but not by the time the baptism rolled around. Regardless, he did a great job!

Now back to the 2 yr old with strep: During the beginning of the liturgy, the Baptisee was fussing and switching back and forth between mom and dad. I thought, "This could be interesting." But when I dipped my hand in the water letting it fall into the font, his attention was captured. His mom had been to the Holy Land several years ago and we added Jordan River water to the water in the font -- he was facinated.

When it was time, I asked him, "Will you come here?" He readily came to me. I said, "We have some water here. Do you want to see it?" He reached toward the font. I asked, "Do you want to touch it?" As he put his hand in the water, he said, "Water" very, plainly into my lapel mic. I said, "I'm going to put some water on your head in just a minute." As I put the water on his head, he leaned toward my hand. After the baptism, I gave him back to mom. He leaned toward the font saying, "Water, water." So I took the font back to him, he put his hand in the water, and then on his head right where it was already wet. The congregation loved it, the parents were smiling, the grandparents were beaming.

It was time to move on so I said, "Okay, let's say goodbye to the water. Bye, bye water." And he waved goodbye while saying, "Bye, bye, water."